John LaFerla narrowly lost Democratic 1st District primary

John LaFerla, a Chestertown gynecologist who barely lost the Democratic primary to run in Maryland's 1st District congressional race, said he will run as a write-in candidate.

LaFerla said Friday in a telephone interview with the Associated Press that he continues to wait for word on whether the Maryland Democratic Party will officially name him as its candidate to run as a write-in after Wendy Rosen dropped out abruptly. Rosen withdrew Monday after the party said it had learned she had voted in Maryland and Florida.

LaFerla, 63, said he's optimistic he will get the party nod, but he doesn't feel he has time to wait. He said he's starting to organize a campaign to challenge Republican incumbent Andy Harris.

LaFerla lost the Democratic primary to Rosen by less than 1 percentage point.